Futurekids, Inc. partners with Microsoft Corporation to bring innovative educational technology solution to the K-12 marketplace
LONG BEACH, Calif. - (May 8, 2005) -
Futurekids, Inc., a leading global provider of education technology
solutions for K-12 schools, has announced a new partnership with Microsoft
Corp., the global leader in software. Through the partnership, Futurekids
will work with Microsoft to provide complete education technology
solutions to the K-12 education market. Using Microsoft's suite of
products, Futurekids will provide professional development training and
curricula to teachers and school administrators, technology planning,
assessment , and student technology-integrated curricula.
The
relationship will allow Microsoft and Futurekids to work together to
deliver best of breed solutions to meet the growing demand for systemic
technology solutions within the educational community. "Our relationship
with Microsoft allows us to tightly align our products and services to the
global leader in software solutions. Our customers will now be able to
receive the truly integrated end-to-end solution," says Jay Williams, Vice
President of Business Development of Futurekids.
"Futurekids' new
partnership with Microsoft will expand the audience of teachers and school
administrators who are experiencing the unique Futurekids approach to
professional development and proven student curricula. Futurekids products
and services will now be aligned with Microsoft's exceptional productivity
tools. "This partnership is a natural step in assuring that clients both
invest in the best software tools and are able to align them with the
latest requirements of the educational community and the federal and local
government funding sources," states Dzana Homan, President and COO of
Futurekids Inc.
Greg Butler, Manager of the Educator and Student
Development Group at Microsoft, comments that "Microsoft knows the
importance of professional development to technology success in schools.
Having companies such as Futurekids as members of our Professional
Development Alliance provides access to high quality learning experiences
for teachers and administrators, allowing them to gain maximum benefit
from their technology investments."
The partnership with Microsoft
directly enhances Futurekids' core mission of improving the learning
process through the use of technology. Over the next year, Futurekids will
develop new technology curriculum and training programs for the Microsoft
Windows XP operating system as well as for the Microsoft Pocket PC
platform.
Update
Futurekids and Microsoft have begun teaming up around
the world. As a global leader in education technology professional
development, Microsoft has begun working with local Futurekids
organizations as part of the Partners in Learning Project initiative.
In Argentina, Futurekids is helping Microsoft design and deploy technology infused curricula for k-12 teachers throughout the country. Futurekids is establishing a Professional Development Solution aligned with the Argentinean Partners in Learning online learning environment.
Throughout Ecuador, Futurekids will be working with Microsoft to train teachers on Microsoft Office applications. The goal is to enable teacher integrate Microsoft technology into their class rooms base on grade and subject taught.
In
Turkey, Futurekids has been working with Microsoft for over 10
years as the authorized education reseller for the Turkish market. Based
on the Partners in Learning initiative, Futurekids will be working with
Microsoft on the Professional Development program to train over 40,000
teachers throughout Turkey.
About Futurekids
Futurekids, Inc., was founded in
1983 in response to the public’s need for basic computer skills training.
It began franchising computer-learning centers globally in 1989 and soon
grew to address the needs of technology training in the world’s schools.
In 1994, Futurekids launched School Technology Solutions, aimed at meeting
the specific technology needs, interests, and goals of K-12 education. In
1999, Futurekids was acquired by Bob and Jan Davidson, pioneers in
multimedia education and founders of the educational software company
Davidson & Associates, which they sold to Cendant Corp. in 1996.
For more information about Futurekids, visit http://www.futurekids.com/
About Microsoft
Microsoft Corporation
develops, manufactures, licenses, and supports a range of software
products, including scalable operating systems, server applications,
worker productivity applications and software development tools. Microsoft
is the global leader in productivity software and solutions.
Click here for additional information on Futurekids
Professional Development Alliance.
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